THE BBC Children in Need appeal is £12,000 richer thanks to a Chester businessman's bid to play golf with Terry Wogan who is hosting tonight's telethon show.

This is the second time Rod Kavanagh, of Church Lane, Upton, has won an auction on Wogan's BBC Radio 2 show to enjoy a round with the star.

Mr Kavanagh, who bought Northop Golf and Country Club two weeks ago, said: 'I'm a big, big Wogan fan, as a lot of people are. I love his sense of humour so when the opportunity arose for me to play golf with him I went for it.

'Children in Need is such a great cause. I'm happy to donate this sum of money to such a good cause.'

The contest will be a grudge match because he and his son, Martin, beat Wogan and his producer Paul Walters by two holes last time.

It will take place next year at the Mid Hertfordshire Golf Club as it did last time and Walters has already said he's looking forward to the rematch.

Last time Mr Kavanagh, 58, was accompanied by his wife Sandra, Martin and partner Nikkie, as well as daughter Tara and her husband James.

'They made us feel like royalty and we were presented with replicas of the Open championship Claret Jug,' said Mr Kavanagh.

He said of his time with the 18-handicapper Wogan: 'He's tremendous, such a natural funny man, very quick-witted and a bright guy, and you felt completely at ease in his company.'

Mr Kavanagh said Terry Wogan's caddy was Alan Deddicott, otherwise known as the voice of the Lottery balls. 'He was hilarious, a real character.'

Mr Kavanagh owns Chester-based recruitment company Meridian Business Support which has a turnover of £18m. He recently acquired Northop Golf and Country Club with some of the proceeds from the sale of another company to Lloyds TSB.

'Martin is a golfer and it could be useful for him as a base if he does become a touring professional,' said the entrepreneur, who lives next to the first tee at Upton-by-Chester Golf Club which was what originally sparked his interest in the sport.

He intends to spend about £80,000 on redesigning the clubhouse and 'a couple of hundred thousand' pounds on the course as a whole. 'It's a long-term investment,' said Mr Kavanagh, who like Martin, is officially a nine handicapper, although his son is currently playing off three or four. Children in Need kicks off tonight from 7pm on BBC1. Terry Wogan, Gaby Roslin and Pudsey are back for a night of fun and fundraising, with the boys from pop group Busted manning the donation phonelines.